Brussels, 07/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague announced on Wednesday 7 November the forthcoming establishment, in a third country, of direct meetings between members of his ministry and representatives of Syrian opposition groups. He explained in a Parliament statement that he has authorised his officials to enter into direct contact with an enlarged list of representatives including military officials of the armed opposition, specifying that such groups play an increasingly influential role in Syria as the conflict grows worse.
Hague said contacts will “help us to understand better the situation in Syria and the relationship between political and armed opposition groups so we can properly support political transition”. He added that, during the contacts, his representatives would insist on the importance of human rights, of rejecting extremism and terrorism, and of working towards a peaceful political transition. He explained that his aim was to encourage the opposition to unite around a common vision of a stable and democratic Syria. Hague also ruled out any arming of opposition groups. (CG/transl.jl)